Improvement in automatic sprinklers



Patented Nov. 2,1875) H. CONANT.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES. No. 169,422.

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WITNESSES ATTORNEYS.

:LPETERS. FHQTO-UTHOGRAPHEH. WASHINGTON. DC.

HEZEKIAH CONANT, OF PAl/VTUGKET, RHODE ISLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. B69A22, dated N ovrmber 2, 1875 application filed August 21, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HEZEKIAH GoNANr, of Pawtucket, in the county ofProvidence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and ImprovedAutomatic Sprinkler for Extinguishing Fires, of which the following is aspecification In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a sideelevation of my improved automatic sprinkler for extinguishing fire infactories', &c.; and Fig. 2, a bottom view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to provide for cottonand other factoriesan improved sprinkler that discharges the water automatically fromdifferent parts of the ceiling When the heat reaches a certain point, sothat the "alve connection with the supply pipe is thrown into operation.

The invention will first be described in connection with drawing, andthen pointed out in the claim.

The automatic extinguishers hitherto used were sealed by a plug and acomposition that melts at a certain degree of temperature, at which theplug is dropped and the water discharged. These fire-extinguishers,however,

are not reliable, as they are apt to get out of working order in courseof time by the growth of fungi, rust, or other causes, requiring alsoafter a fire and after testing the rescaling with the composition, whichis not always convenient and on hand.

My invention is designed to furnish an extinguishing device that ispositively reliable in operation, may be tested at any moment, andplaced into the required position with great facility and case.

In the drawing, A represents the watersupply pipe at the top or ceiling,which is provided, at suitable points and distances, with downward-extcndin g discharge-pipes A, according to the dimensions of therooms. Each pipe A is provided with a suitable valve, whose stem 0 isextended in horizontal direction, and guided in a tightly-sealing sidebearing, a, of the discharge-pipe. The lower part of the discharge-pipeis arranged with a sprinkler, B, that distributes the water in diiferentdirections. The outer end of the horizontallysliding valve-stem isprovided with a slightly curved and grooved T- bearin g, D, over whichand a similar bearing, D, in diametrically 0pposite direction from theformer, a skein, E, of cotton of such thickness is wound that the valveis firmly retained on its seat. The hearing or support D is applied to astationary arm, 0 of discharge-pipe A, and the cotton or other suitableinflammatory material stretched tightly on the supports by means of ascrewsleeve, 0 that turns on a thread of the valvestcm, and in asocket-recess of bearing D, so as to act on the same and secure theperfect closing of the valve.

As soon as the flames reach the valve holding cotton skein, so as toburn the same, the valve is forced open by the pressure of the waterthereon, and the water is discharged in all directions on the fire.

The sprinkler may be tested at any moment by simply cutting the cottonskein, and instantly be readjusted by winding a new skein around thebearing, and adjusting the stretch' ing screw-nut.

In this manner a reliable, simply-0perated, and inexpensiveextinguishing device for factories, store-rooms, 850., is furnished,which may be quickly placed in working order, and perfectly relied upon,either for testing or in case of danger, as the parts are not liable toget out of order, and secure a positive action of the same.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent The combination of discharge-pipe A, havin gstationary arm with the T- bearing D, and the end-threaded slidingvalve-rod having T- bearing D, as vWell as nut 0 with the flexibleconnection E, as and for the purpose specified.

HEZEKIAH OONAN T.

Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, T. B. MOSHER.

